Happy Snappy: Finland vs Scotland: animal

Showing posts with label animal. Show all posts

August 14, 2013

95 :: Small Bird II

Jaana: European Robins will soon leave us to go winter in milder locations.

Kia: A female House Sparrow is enjoying the feeble Scottish sun.

July 24, 2013

89 :: Feathered Babies

Jaana: I photographed this owlet (possibly a Ural Owl or a Great Grey Owl) in early June soon after it had left the nest.

Kia: Wee fluffy cygnets of Mute Swan are snuggled happily together.

July 21, 2013

Jaana: Mallard ducklings are growing up.

Kia: Mallard ducklings are so cute and fluffy that is almost a pity that they grow up so fast; it only takes them 50-60 days to fledge and become independent.

We'll be posting twice a week for a while. See you on Wednesday.

July 14, 2013

87 :: Pond

Jaana: If I had been more "brave", I would have snapped a shot when there was a wedding couple having their pictures taken on the white bridge.

Kia: All the ponds in the area are full of babies right now: cygnets, ducklings, cootlings, moorhen chicks.

June 30, 2013

85 :: June Scenery

Jaana: It's been a hot, sunny summer so far! Today the length of day is 21h 45m, sunrise at 2:28 AM, sunset at 00:13 AM.

Kia: June has been cold and blustery, with drizzle and heavy downpours and just a few sunny spells. Although, the meadows full of buttercups have been a really cheering sight. Today the length of day is 17h 29m, sunrise at 4:36 AM, sunset at 10:05 PM.

A reminder of how our sceneries looked like in May, April, March, February and January.

September 30, 2012

45 :: Waterfowl

Jaana: Apart from Mallard Ducks, Tufted Ducks seem to be the other common waterfowl over here, even though they are classified as vulnerable in Finland. I love their piercing yellow eyes.

Kia: Mallard ducks and Mute Swans are almost ubiquitous in Scottish rivers, ponds and lochs.

September 12, 2012

40 :: Signs Of Autumn

Jaana: Blueberries, lingonberries, rowan berries...

Kia: Squirrels are busy gathering nuts and seeds to store for the long winter, and leaves begin to change color.

September 9, 2012

39 :: Pigeon

Jaana: The pretty coloring of this Feral Pigeon (or pulu as we Finns say) caught my eye.

Kia: The Woodpigeon is the UK's largest and commonest pigeon.

September 5, 2012

38 :: Swallow

Jaana: Barn Swallows are now slowly leaving us to spend winter in Africa. We'll get to see them again in April-June. An old Finnish saying claims that the sight of the first swallow means summer has arrived.

Kia: The Barn Swallow is the most common member of the swallow family in Britain. Swallows are common summer visitors, arriving in April and leaving in October. A well known proverb goes like this: "One swallow does not make a summer".

September 2, 2012

37 :: Wildflowers

Jaana: Tansy is also known as "button flower" in Finland. Their flowering time lasts from July till September, which is why I always think of fall when I see the first blooms.

Kia: Wild Foxglove thrives in Scottish woodlands, moors, mountains and sea cliffs. In Scotland it's also called Fairy Fingers, Witches' Thimbles and Bloody Bells. Tradition has it that Foxglove leaves were put in new born babies' cradles to keep them from being bewitched.

July 29, 2012

27 :: Squirrel

Jaana: The Eurasian Red Squirrel is a very common sight overhere. The other squirrel species we have in Finland is the endangered Siberian Flying Squirrel.

Kia: The Eastern Grey Squirrel was introduced to the UK from the USA in the late 19th century to satisfy the Victorian penchant for novelty. They are notorious for displacing the native Red Squirrels in European woodlands.

July 25, 2012

25 :: Beetle

Jaana: There are numerous bugs and insects that like to feed on the flowers of this Spirea shrub. This fuzzy butt belongs to a Bee Beetle.

Kia: We have plenty of Common Red Soldier Beetles around right now, also because it's their mating season and they seem to prefer Queen Anne's Lace and Thistle for a romantic encounter.